From the Affluenza Project:
"What are the symptoms of affluenza?
In individuals, symptoms of affluenza can include: workaholism; an addiction to chaos; low self-esteem; depression; a loss of future motivation; an inability to delay gratification or tolerate frustration; a false sense of entitlement. Affluenza is frequently accompanied by all manners of addictive/compulsive behaviors. We can see the symptoms of affluenza throughout our culture:in those around us who have wealth; in those who are pursuing wealth; and in varying degrees within ourselves. One of the major causes of climate change, loss of biodiversity and the "legacy" we threaten to leave our children and grandchildren, is affluenza.
What causes affluenza?
The assumption that money can, should and does buy happiness -- what I call the myth of the American dream. As a nation, we have developed the false sense of entitlement as well as an inability to delay gratification, which is characteristic of affluenza. Far from guaranteeing happiness, wealth or the single-minded pursuit of it can destroy happiness, or -- at the least -- exacerbate existing problems. The psychological dynamics of affluenza are more complex, and more harmful, than one popularized definition of affluenza as merely "a rich person's disease." People across all socio-economic levels buy into the overriding value within our culture that money solves all problems, thus denial of money-related difficulties is supported by society. Many sufferers of affluenza hesitate to seek help."
The disease is rampant among Greensboro's elite who substitute their own desires for economic development in the deranged belief they are doing the right thing. It could be someone has finally discovered the cause of the dreaded Greensboro Disease. And until we cure Greensboro's elites of affluenza we cannot hope to save our city.
And while I realize to some this post may seem like a joke, seriously, it is not a joke. The affluenza defense has been successfully used in court. Greensboro's elites need to be institutionalized before they get to that extreme.
